PARISH MINISTRIES

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned to assist the priest with the distribution of the Eucharist at Mass and to the sick and homebound. This is a rewarding and useful ministry serving the Lord and His Church. If interested, please contact the parish office, 762-3928 . Return to Top

LECTORS - Lectors are men and women of the parish responsible for reading the scripture at Mass. This Ministry is open to persons of high school age and over. If interested, please contact the parish office, 762-3928 . Return to Top

ALTAR SERVERS - Those in grade five and above, who are interested in becoming altar servers, are eligible after a period of training in the fall. They serve Sunday Mass on a rotating pattern throughout the year. If interested, please contact the parish office. Return to Top

USHERS - Ushers greet parishioners, offer assistance in seating, and take up the collection. Scheduling is flexible. If you are interested in ushering please contact, Paul Niche, 834-0309.  Return to Top

MUSIC-- Our Lady of Fatima music program offers something for everyone.

The Adult Choir sings hymns, psalms, and anthems in a wide variety of musical styles at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. before Mass. All who are high school age and older are welcome. Please contact Mary Bozzuti-Higgins at 216-7999 , for more information.Return to Top

The Family Choir sings contemporary songs of praise at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, accompanied by guitars, keyboard, and other instruments. Families, singles, couples, young and old are welcome. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. before Mass. Please contact Clay Zambo, 847-4987 , for more information. Return to Top

The Children's Choir is open to all children in grades K through five. The children sing periodically at the 9:00 a.m. Mass and rehearse every Tuesday that school is in session from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Betsy McGowan, 857-0467 . Return to Top

DAYTIME EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Our Lady of Fatima Parish invites you to join in a day of adoration each month. On First Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. , the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in our upstairs chapel for silent prayer. Everyone is welcome! Volunteers to commit to specific half-hours are always very much needed. Please call Kathy Tafuro, 762-8816 , if you wish to sign up for a specific half hour. Return to Top

NOCTURNAL ADORATION - On the First Friday of the month from October through June, men and women of the parish give an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Teams are assigned a designated hour during the night. If you are assigned 10:00 p.m. in October, your next assignment is 11:00 p.m. in November. There is also a group that has regular adoration at 9:00 p.m. each month. New members are always welcome. This devotion ends each First Saturday morning just before 8:00 a.m. Mass. Please call Franey Donovan, 834-2444 , if you wish to volunteer. Return to Top

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS -Each First Saturday there is the devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. Following 8:00 a.m. Mass, there is recitation of the Rosary and prayers to Our Blessed Mother. This devotion includes attending Mass, receiving Our Lord, and spending 15 minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. You are also encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the week before or after this First Saturday devotion. Return to Top

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA - Each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. the Miraculous Medal Novena begins with recitation of the Rosary, and concludes with prayers and hymns and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Return to Top

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT - This eight session seminar held each year provides participants with the foundation upon which they may build a personal understanding of the Holy Spirit through prayer, scripture readings, music, witnessing, fellowship, and group discussion. The gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are explored and awakened in each individual. All adult members of the Parish are welcome. Hundreds of parishioners have taken this seminar during its nearly 25 year existence at Our Lady of Fatima. If interested, please call Lynn Bruno, 762-2172 , or Jim Duncan, 762-3169 . Return to Top

SPIRITUAL COFFEE BREAK - Lorraine Tinkler announces a new series of last year’s successful Spiritual Coffee Break program.  It will take place in the Parish Center once a month on a designated Tuesday from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m., accompanied by meditative music.  One of the members in the group leads a discussion of a spiritual topic of interest.  Some examples of topics last year were:  Prayer Life, Road to Emmaus, Mother Teresa, and other topics of interest.  Occasionally social treats will be included.  All are welcome to attend during the September through June framework.  For further information, contact Lorraine Tinkler at 834-1013 or email LCT1590@yahoo.com  Return to Top

FRIDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP - A small group of parishioners meet regularly on Friday mornings at 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. in the Adoration Chapel to pray for the needs of the parish. There is a brief reflection on a bible passage followed by prayers for the general needs of the parish, as well as individual needs that are made known to members of the group. All are welcome. Please call Wes Wensek, 834-0675 , for any further information. Return to Top

MEN'S RETREAT - Each fall the men of OLF journey to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in W. Hartford for a group retreat. Holy Family sits on a hill in the midst of 48 secluded acres with many beautiful walking trails. Whether you are getting away from your hectic schedule or truly getting to the issues that need your attention, the annual retreat has much to offer. Come and take advantage of this opportunity to experience Passionist spirituality and hospitality. Please contact Franey Donovan, 834-2444 , for more information. Return to Top

MEN'S MINISTRY - The men in the parish meet Saturday mornings from 6:30  to 8 a.m. in the Parish Center.  Beginning with prayer and the study of Scripture lessons and passages, the  major part of the time together consists of small group discussion and the sharing of successes and struggles as members of families (husbands, singles, fathers, etc.) seeking to live out their discipleship to Jesus as members of His church family.  Please contact Bill McMorris, 762-0716, for more information.  Return to Top

ELDERLY AND HOMEBOUND - Under the direction of Sister Mary Jane Card, this program reaches out to the unique needs, concerns and hopes of this important segment of our parish. The scope of this ministry includes Ogden House, Wilton Meadows, The Greens, Sunrise Assisted Living, as well as our homebound parishioners. If you or someone you know has needs, and we are able to help, please contact Sr. Mary Jane at 761-9879 . We are always in need of new volunteers in this most worthwhile and valuable ministry. Return to Top

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY - After the death of a parishioner, a sympathy note is sent to the family offering private counseling or the option of speaking to someone from the bereavement ministry team. Each November a Mass is offered for those who have been buried from OLF in the previous year, and family and friends are invited to this event, followed by a breakfast reception. An informal seminar is held before Thanksgiving called "Getting Through the Holidays After the Death of a Loved One." And when the need is apparent, a bereavement support group is formed, meeting for four evening sessions in the spring or fall. Please contact Carolyn Butler, 762-2411 , for more information. Return to Top

RESPECT LIFE - The parish Respect Life Ministry fosters respect and legal protection for every human life from the moment of fertilization until natural death. The ministry educates parishioners about current pro-life issues including abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, cloning, assisted suicide, death penalty, and end of life medical issues. Please contact Kathleen/Tim Dineen, 762-7674 , for more information. Return to Top

SOUP KITCHEN - The Manna House of Hospitality is a soup kitchen in South Norwalk serving three meals daily.  Our Lady of Fatima parishioners help in many ways. Volunteers work at the soup kitchen once or twice a month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays preparing and serving hot meals. Parishioners donate food items necessary to prepare these meals, on a monthly basis. The items are dropped off at the Parish Center for a Tuesday mid-morning delivery to Manna House. Parishioners also deliver donated food from the Village Market, Stop and Shop, and Starbucks to the Manna House at approximately 11:00 a.m. each day.  Drivers participate weekly or monthly. If you would like to participate in this rewarding ministry, on either a regular or substitute basis, please contact Sharon Steinberg, 834-0581. Return to Top

AMERICARES HOMEFRONT - During the first weekend of May, a team of OLF "hands on" volunteers help homeowners who are physically or financially unable to maintain their properties. The necessary repairs are made at no cost to homeowners. Please call Pat Helbach at 834-9905 , if you wish to volunteer. Return to Top

NEWCOMERS - Newly registered parishioners are welcomed into the parish with a phone call from a Parish Advisory Council member. Once a month during the school year, new and old parishioners gather in the Parish Center , immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Mass, for coffee and donuts. It is hosted by various parish families. If you are interested in hosting this community gathering, please call Linda Sweeny, 762-5552 . Return to Top